Hong Kong Restaurant News: Ovolo's Komune Goes Vegetarian, Ecriture's Galette Des Rois, And More

The latest from The Hari and festive pies round up this week's updates on restaurants

The festive holiday is in full force, with the city quickly adapting to the ever-changing dining restrictions—proof that staying vigilant when it comes to social distancing measures and personal hygiene will still allow us to support the local food and beverage industry. There's plenty to enjoy, from intimate dinners for two to wholesome deliveries of signature roasts and desserts, and all the festive advent calendars and hampers we look forward to gifting our loved ones. As we come to the end of 2020, it's time to celebrate—from indulging in new offerings from restaurants to anticipating all the exciting new food and beverage concepts to come.

Above Photo: Courtesy of Al Pazta

Ovolo Southside's Komune Goes Vegetarian

Wong Chuk Hang's designer hotel Ovolo Southside is making a turn in its dining offerings to healthier options. The Southside hotel is turning Komune, its rooftop restaurant into a vegetarian eatery. The restaurant's initiative enlists Raul Tronco, head chef and vegetarian himself into designing a new array of all-vegetable delights. Inspired by Asian, Indian, and European cuisines, Tronco's new additions to the Komune menu include charred guacamole with tomato waffle and pico de gallo; roasted spiced purple cauliflower with achar; red pesto, courgette, onion, and black olive beetroot pizza; and green risotto with sauteed mushrooms, asparagus and pumpkin. Komune's new vegetarian delights are available now.

Two New Restaurants To Open At The Hari

Slated to open 12 December, The Hari will showcase the best of Italian and Japanese cuisines at two separate dining establishments. At Lucciola Restaurant & Bar, guests can indulge in Italian classics and heritage flavours with contemporary presentation. The interior will feature an abundance of timber with a long gallery wall finished with Tadelakt polished plaster. At Zoku Restaurant & Terrace, guests can settle in the modern comfort of long banquettes set along furnishing embellished with neutral linens and patterned aqua textiles, all set against a three-storey green wall for a natural touch.

Above Mono's Festive Hamper. Photo: Courtesy of Mono

Ricardo Chaneton's Mono Launches Festive Hamper With Latin American Flair

Jia Group's Mono is launching a limited edition festive hamper which features a selection of Latin American gourmet treasures, including the signature Eva Aguilera olive oil, imperial caviar, as well as house-made specialty products such as pain d'epices, a 21-ingredient mole sauce; and small-batch chocolate made in house using raw cacao pods. The festive package also includes a mate tea set and Miolo sparkling wine, all encased in a tote bag made by Mercado Global, a non-profit company from Guatemala whose mission lies in helping Latin American women with community businesses. The limited edition hamper is priced at HK$2,580 per set, and is available starting from 8 December.

Al Fresco Italian Eatery Pazta Opens At Tai Kwun

Pazta, a new Italian eatery opens at Tai Kwun. Mirroring the ambience of an Italian piazza, this new Italian restaurant showcases Italian dishes from Venice, Bologna, Sardinia, Rome, complete with wines and coffees imported from Italy. Highlights from Pazta menu include Pizzette Margherita, a miniature Margherita pizza topped with mozzarella, tomatoes and basil; Tris di Fiori di Zucca, a trio of courgette blossoms, filled with mozzarella, anchovies, and gorgonzola respectively; Pappardelle al Cinghiale e Olive Nere, or thick egg pasta with wild boar ragu and olives; and Spaghetti con la Colatura di Cetara e Alici Marinate, a simple pasta dish with silver anchovies and a touch of garlic and olive oil. Pazta opens all-day with a la carte options as well as seasonal menus throughout the day.

Above Smokey Key Lime Pie at Smoke & Barrel. Photo: Courtesy of Smoke & Barrel

Smoke & Barrel Launches Festive Pies

American smokehouse and restaurant Smoke & Barrel celebrates the festive holiday season with an array of sweet pies. The newly-opened barbecue restaurant will feature eight different pie varieties available for both dine-in and takeaway. Headlining the sweet collection is New Jersey apple and cinnamon pie, a nostalgic favourite of chef-patron Chris Grare. Other fruit pie varieties include American favourites such as lemon meringue; plum and tonka bean; Georgia peach; smokey key lime; wild blueberry almond and raspberry almond pies. For a richer alternative for sharing, guests can also indulge in triple chocolate truffle fudge pie and bourbon caramel pecan pie. All eight-inch pies are available at Smoke & Barrel in limited quantities daily and are priced at HK$400 each.

Ecriture Celebrates The New Year With French Galette Des Rois

Maxime Gilbert's Ecriture celebrates the arrival of the year 2021 with the launch of galette des rois. Traditionally a flaky pastry treat flavoured with almonds, rum, and a touch of orange blossom, the Galette des Rois has been created by Tia Cheung and Cyrus Yeung, the pastry duo at the Le Comptoir restaurant, especially for the festival of Epiphany. The buttery pastry will come in two sizes, a small-sized priced at HK$288 (serves two), and a large-sized at HK$488 (serves four to six). The galette des rois is available with one day reservation and is available for pick up throughout the month of January 2021.

Tatler Asia

Hong Kong Restaurant News: Ovolo's Komune Goes Vegetarian, Ecriture's Galette Des Rois, And More